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Fishing Culbertson Lake: what the data says
71-acre lake near Nevada County. The lake tops out around 16 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Brook Trout fishing at Culbertson Lake
Start shallow in spring: brook trout sit in 2 to 15 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 5 to 16 ft, and by winter most fish are in 2 to 16 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 14 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 16 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Culbertson Lake
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 4 to 16 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 16 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 16 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 7 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 4 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 5 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 3 to 16 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Brown Bullhead fishing at Culbertson Lake
Spring brown bullhead on Culbertson Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 3 to 12 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 16 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 14 ft, rated prime for winter brown bullhead. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & night | |
| Summer | 3 to 12 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 5 to 16 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 14 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 8 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 8 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 7 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 3 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is Culbertson Lake?
Culbertson Lake is about 16 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Culbertson Lake?
Anglers target rainbow trout, brook trout, brown bullhead on Culbertson Lake.
Where is the best fishing spot on Culbertson Lake?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 14 ft of water that rates prime for brown bullhead in winter. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Culbertson Lake?
For brook trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Lower Rock Lake · Lindsey Lakes · Feely Lake · Carr Lake · Sawmill Lake · Faucherie Lake
See how Culbertson Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in California · best brook trout lakes in California · best brown bullhead lakes in California
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